Seizure of a Drug Gang that Used Ambulances for Camouflage in Egypt Worth 350 Million Pounds

In a dramatic incident, Egyptian security forces thwarted a highly dangerous gang's scheme that resorted to a devilish trick by using private ambulances to conceal its drug distribution activities.

Investigations by the Anti-Narcotics and Weapons Sector revealed that the gang established two factories in Qalyubia Governorate for the production of narcotic substances and set up a network comprising 7 criminal elements. According to the investigations, the gang members relied on two ambulances to transport and distribute large quantities of narcotic materials to their clients, avoiding detection.

After legal procedures were taken, the police successfully raided the gang and seized:

1.6 million tramadol pills

100 kg of tramadol powder

3 tons of raw materials for manufacturing

Quantities of hashish and shabu

6 vehicles including the two ambulances designated for smuggling


The estimated financial value of the seized items is about 350 million pounds, in addition to the equipment used in manufacturing.

It is noted that tramadol is one of the most commonly abused substances in Egypt, accounting for more than half of addiction cases, according to official studies, making it a major focus in the illegal drug trade, which has reached hundreds of billions in value over the past years.